Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is asking voters to consider four long-term infrastructure initiatives as they head to the polls in November.
Democrats this week unveiled proposals totaling $345 million as part of a $13.7 billion state budget plan for fiscal year 2025.
McKee said one of the questions asked is $135 million for higher education, including $80 million for the University of Rhode Island Biomedical Sciences Building, to help build facilities that will accelerate the state's life sciences industry. It is said that a bond of $1,000,000 will be issued.
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On the higher education question, $55 million will also be provided to cover infrastructure costs for the University of Rhode Island's Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.
The second question would allow states to borrow $100 million to increase production of affordable and middle-income housing, support community revitalization and promote homeownership, according to the administration. That's what it means.
“The Team Rhode Island budget I am submitting to the General Assembly today prioritizes programs and initiatives that help improve the incomes of Rhode Islanders,” McKee said in a written statement Thursday.
This budget makes important investments in education, small businesses, and Rhode Island's health care system without widespread tax increases. McKee said the budget also maintains the fiscal discipline Rhode Island has maintained over the past two years: using one-time funds for one-time investments.
This photo shows Democratic Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
Another question Mr. McKee wants voters to decide on is $60 million for a permanent state archives and history center that would house and display historical documents such as copies of the Declaration of Independence and letters from George Washington. It's about spending.
The fourth question asks voters to approve $50 million in borrowing for “green economy” projects, including $20 million for infrastructure improvements at the Port of Davisville. $10 million to support restoration of fragile coastal habitats, rivers, and river floodplains. $8 million to rehabilitate Newport Cliff Walk tourism infrastructure;
In Rhode Island, a total of 163 ballot measures appeared on ballots statewide between 1985 and 2021, according to election tracking organization Ballotpedia. A total of 128 ballot proposals were approved and 35 ballot proposals were rejected.
Other highlights of the budget include $15 million to improve instructional outcomes in math and English, and the addition of 35 early childhood classrooms with a total of 700 seats for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Includes additions. This brings the total number of seats to 3,000. The state has set a goal of increasing preschool enrollment by 5,000 children by 2028.
The budget bill will now be submitted to the General Assembly.
Thursday's budget announcement comes just days after Mr. McKee highlighted a number of his goals for the new year in his State of the State address, including higher wages, improved student outcomes and increased housing production.
One of the promises Mr. McKee made was to increase the purchasing power of the state's residents in the coming years by setting a goal of increasing the state's per capita income by at least $20,000 by 2030.
In a Republican response to McKee's speech, House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale said the state needs to do more to address future fiscal challenges.
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“Talking about the challenges our country has is not a negative thing, and ignoring them will never make them go away,” he said. “We have to accept that these challenges exist, and we have to accept that we have to work together to find solutions that reverse the path we are on.”
